Category: IGN

Sony has revealed that PlayStation’s Pulse Explore wireless earbuds will be released on December 6, 2023, and that the Pulse Elite wireless headset will follow on February 21, 2024.

Sony revealed the news on PlayStation.Blog, and also announced that pre-orders would begin through direct.PlayStation.com and other retailers on November 9 at 10am local time in the U.S., U.K, France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Pre-orders will go live in other global markets that day as well through select retailers.

The Pulse Explore wireless earbuds retail for $199.99 and aim to provide a “premium portable audio experience.” They come complete with dual microphones, AI-enhanced noise rejection, and a charging case.

The Pulse Elite wireless headset will cost $149.99 and includes lossless audio, AI-enhanced noise rejection, a retractable boom mic, a charging mount, and more.

Alongside the earbuds and headset will be the standalone PlayStation Link USB Adapter, which goes on sale on December 6. It is important to note the adapter comes included with the Pulse Elite and Pulse Explore.

For those unfamiliar, PlayStation Link is PlayStation’s new wireless audio tech that allows the Pulse Elite and Pulse Explore to connect with a PS5, PlayStation Portal, PC, Mac, and mobile phones.

PlayStation Link also allows the Pulse Elite and Pulse Explore to connect to both a PlayStation Link-supported device (PS5, PC, Mac, or PlayStation Portal) and another Bluetooth-supported device like your phone or iPad.

As a reminder, the PlayStation Portal will be released on November 15, 2023, and it is now available for pre-order for $199.99. For more, be sure to check out our hands-on preview of PlayStation Portal.

Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

The Finals, which is currently trending on Steam after entering open beta, has faced criticism for using AI-generated voice overs instead of casting actors.

Voice actor Gianni Matragrano, who appears in Evil West, Vertigo 2, and more, criticised developer Embark Studios’ decision to use AI-generated voices on X/Twitter. Matragrano said the sound in The Finals “doesn’t sound good”, but he and other voice actors also highlighted the impact of AI on their livelihoods and the controversy around using it.

Matragrano pointed to a July 2023 episode of Embark Studios’ own Meet the Makers podcast, where two audio designers only referred to as Andreas and Carl confirmed they used “incredible” AI tools to create the voice overs in The Finals.

“We use AI with a few exceptions,” Andreas said. “So all the contestant voices, like the barks, and both our commentators are AI text-to-speech. For things we call vocalisations, like player breathing, vaulting, jumping, that’s something we use us in the studio to record, just grunting. We can’t really get the AI to perform those kind of tasks yet.”

Genshin Impact, Dying Light, and Ghostrunner 2’s Kit Harrison slammed this statement on X/Twitter. “What really sticks with me is that they needed to bring in real actors to get the grunting, effort, and breathing sounds because the AI can’t do it,” the voice actor said. “It can’t replicate the noise that I make when I stand up from my chair, but it wants to take my job? Don’t make me laugh.”

It was also criticised by Elsie Lovelock, who appears in Baldur’s Gate 3, Wargroove, and more. “The kicker is, it still sounds like crap regardless of how realistic they think it sounds,” she said on X/Twitter.

Gearbox Software narrative director Sam Winkler shared a similar message. “Shipping content with AI voice over is bad, flat out,” he said on X/Twitter. “Especially for a game that has so clearly polished every other aspect of its presentation to a gleaming finish, this sticks out like an infected thumb.”

Embark Studios’ Andreas defended The Finals’ use of AI voice over on the podcast episode, however. “The reason that we go this route is that AI text-to-speech is finally extremely powerful,” he said. “It gets us far enough in terms of quality and allows us to be extremely reactive to new ideas and keep things really, really fresh.

“So, for instance, if a game designer comes up with a new idea for a game mode, we can have voice over representing that in just a matter of hours instead of months. We don’t have to do [temporary] recordings that need replacing. I think we’re really coming into a new dawn when it comes to video game voices. And if it sounds a bit off, it still blends kind of well with the fantasy of the virtual game show aesthetically.”

Matragrano pointed to Andreas’ use of “far enough in terms of quality” as a damning statement, and refuted the idea that implementing voice actors takes months.

“We are constantly banging out rush order sessions for like, within a day or two,” he said. “You can literally get pro-grade voice over for less than a grand total, bang out a couple recording sessions, and bam you have all the audio you need.

“When you need more, you can book another session. We actually make it very easy. And then it’ll just sound good and not be something even players who don’t really care about AI ethics keep complaining about.”

Somewhat ironically, Embark Studios also has a “Making The Finals” series on YouTube which has an episode dedicated to “capturing authentic sound”. IGN has reached out to Embark Studios for comment.

The use of AI in video games and beyond has been a hotly debated and controversial topic as of late, even coming at the centre of the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strike.

The guild also voted in September 2023 to authorise a strike as a part of the resumption of bargaining over its Interactive Media Agreement, which governs voice, motion capture, and other actors working in video games. While this doesn’t mean a strike is currently happening, it does mean that SAG-AFTRA negotiators have the power to call one if negotiations continue to stagnate.

“We want to ensure that they don’t replace all the humans with computers,” Interactive Negotiating Committee member Zeke Alton told IGN in September 2023. “Not a prohibition on it, but just as we move forward with the technology, how do we move with it and not get left behind.

“We’re having the argument now specifically about these AI algorithms and they are wiping out large portions of the workforce. And so if we lose that and set the precedent for corporations to remove the lower levels of their workforce using algorithms, that then proliferates into every workforce on the planet, and that can have disastrous results for the economy and for society as a whole.

“That’s why this is an existential fight, not just for us, but to anybody else out there watching: you’re next. And would you like to have the precedent of being protected or the precedent of being removed?”

Video game voice actors previously called out AI-generated explicit Skyrim mods, and Assassin’s Creed Syndicate voice actress Victoria Atkin called AI-generated mods the “invisible enemy we’re fighting right now” after discovering her voice was used by cloning software. Paul Eiding, the voice actor behind Colonel Campbell in the Metal Gear Solid series, also condemned its use.

The biggest developer to use AI voice over so far is CD Projekt Red, though this was only done to replace a deceased voice actor after gaining permission from the family.

The Finals’ use of AI certainly hasn’t made the game any less popular, with its open beta clocking a peak of 267,874 concurrent players on Steam in its first weekend available, according to data from SteamDB. Made up of ex-DICE developers who worked on the Battlefield series, the team-based first person shooter even hit its player capacity within a few days.

In our preview of the game, IGN said: “The Finals is a fast-paced first-person shooter that focuses on arcadey game styles and game-show mechanics. What makes it unique is that everything, and I mean everything, can be destroyed. It’s a lot to take in, but after playing a bunch of it, all of the elements manage to work really well together when the game isn’t stuttery and buggy.”

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.

The Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link mobile game has received a teaser trailer from Square Enix alongside an iOS and Android release window of 2024.

The trailer gives fans a sneak preview of the story, which centers on the player character traveling to Scala ad Caelum in the astral plane sometime after the events of Kingdom Hearts Union χ, and a new gameplay mechanic that involves traveling throughout the world without setting foot outside your home and collecting character pieces that grant you specific powers.

Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link is an all GPS Action RPG for iOS and Android!

We are now recruiting testers from the United Kingdom and Australia for the Closed Beta Test. Apply here:https://t.co/PZD5gUa5JW

Make sure to follow @KHMLink_NA for the latest on #KHML pic.twitter.com/rzfzpiIDpc

— KINGDOM HEARTS (@KINGDOMHEARTS) October 30, 2023

Square Enix is also recruiting testers from Australia and the UK for the closed beta test of Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link, which will begin next month. There are only 3,000 spots open, however, with an even split between Android and iOS owners.

Those who want to participate in the closed beta have until November 19 to apply on the game’s website. The testing period for the iOS version runs from November 29 through December 8, while testing for the Android version is scheduled for January 2024.

Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link was announced alongside Kingdom Hearts 4 at the series’ 20th Anniversary event in 2022, with Square Enix describing the game’s story as taking place in “an unwritten era”. The characters roaming around Scala ad Caelum and the societies they were a part of have long been forgotten, and the game’s era serves as a missing link between the Union χ era and the current one.

Cristina Alexander is a freelance writer for IGN. To paraphrase Calvin Harris, she wears her love for Sonic the Hedgehog on her sleeve like a big deal. Follow her on Twitter @SonicPrincess15.

2023 is finally the year where 2TB PS5 SSD upgrades are actually worth the price. Last year, prices for 1TB PS5 SSDs averaged around $150, whereas 2TB SSDs hovered closer to $300. This year, we’re seeing 1TB SSDs trickle below the $70 price point and 2TB SSDs can drop to $100 or lower (like this Crucial P5 Plus 2TB SSD for $99.74). Note that you can’t use any old SSD and expect it to perform well on the PS5 console. You’ll want to pick up a PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 solid-state drive with at least a 5,500MB/s read speed to match the PS5’s internal drive.

TL;DR – The Best PS5 SSD Deals Right Now

Note that Sony recommends a heatsink attached to your SSD and not all SSDs listed here have pre-installed heatsinks. For the ones that do, we’ll be sure to mention it. For the ones that don’t, all you have to do is purchase your own heatsink (like this one for $9) and install it yourself. For our top recommended picks for 2023, check out our full breakdown for the Best PS5 SSDs.

Crucial P5 Plus 2TB SSD for $99.74

Clip the $5.25 off coupon on the product page to get this price. The Crucial P5 Plus meets all the requirements for your PS5 SSD upgrade. It supports transfer speeds of up to 6,660MB/s which is well above the 5,500MB/s minimum threshold. Yes there are faster SSDs out there, but if your intention is to put this in your PS5, then that extra speed is worthless because you’re bottlenecked by the original PS5 SSD. If you’re worried about opening up your PS5 case, don’t worry it’s very easy. Crucial has an official YouTube PS5 SSD install guide.

Silicon Power 2TB PS5 SSD with Heatsink for $104.97

The Silicon Power XS70 SSD with a preinstalled robust aluminum heatsink costs about $100. The aluminum heatsink is still slim enough to fit in the PS5 without obstruction. It boasts transfer speeds of up to 7300MB/s read and 6800MB/s write, comfortably faster than the 5500MB/s minimum recommended requirement. It actually performs a little better than the Crucial P5 Plus, the original WD Black SN850, and the Samsung 980 Pro, although that won’t make a difference in your PS5.

Adata Legend Max 2TB PS5 SSD with Heatsink for $119.99

The “Legend” is Adata’s newest lineup of high-speed PS5-compatible SSDs, replacing the XPG Gammix S70 Blade and the Adata Premium. The “Max” in the name means that this model has a preinstalled heatsink that’s slim enough to fit in the PS5 drive bay. This is one of the faster SSDs on the market with read speeds of up to 7400MBps and write speeds of up to 6800MBps.

Samsung 980 Pro 2TB M.2 SSD with Heatsink $129.99

Samsung SSDs need no introduction. They’ve made some of the most popular and reliable PS5 SSDs on the market. The 980 Pro has been out for a long time, way back in January of 2020. A testament to its reliability is the fact that Samsung didn’t feel any need to release any newer flagship model until only this year. In terms of performance, it’s no longer the fastest SSD on the market (the 990 Pro is), but it’s still a very fast drive. It certainly more than meets the minimum 5600MB/s speed requirement to be used as a PS5 storage upgrade, with speeds of up to 7,100MB/s.

Nextorage 2TB PS5 SSD with Heatsink for $129.99

There’s an interesting story behind this drive. Nextorage was actually originally created by Sony as an SSD division catered to the PS5 console. For whatever reason, Sony decided to ditch that idea and sold this business to another stakeholder in the company, Phison (they make memory controllers found in SSDs from Seagate, Corsair, and Sabrent, and more). Phison eventually accomplished the goal of releasing an SSD catered specifically for the PS5 console in the form of this product right here.

WD Black SN850p 2TB PS5 SSD with Heatsink for $149.99

WD is the only brand that sells an officially licensed PS5 SSD. The SN850P is physically the same SSD as the SN850X, which is the latest generation of WD’s flagship Black series M.2 SSDs. The SN850P’s upgrades over the SN850 include newer flash chips (BiCS5 vs BiCS4) and an updated firmware, both of which offer improved sequential and random read/write speeds. It’s easily one of the fastest SSDs on the market.

Corsair MP600 PRO 2TB PS5 SSD with Heatsink $124.99

Corsair is a very well known brand for DIY PC builders. Corsair makes some of the best gaming products on the market, and that includes solid-state memory like RAM and SSDs. The MP600 Pro is Corsair’s fastest M.2 SSD and the “LPX” model is “optimized for PS5” because it includes a rugged preinstalled heatsink that is slim enough to fit in the PS5 bay without any issues. We like this RAM so much, we rated it the best PS5 SSD for 2023.

Samsung 990 Pro 2TB PS5 SSD with Heatsink for $144.99

The Samsung 990 Pro is an excellent SSD for your PS5. From a purely performance perspective, it’s overkill; the stock SSD in your PS5 will be the limiting factor. You’ll want to pick up an PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 solid state drive with a rated 5,500MB/s read speed to match the PS5’s internal drive and the 990 Pro is much faster. However, at the current price point, this SSD is cheaper than many slower options, so you might as well get it anyways.

What if the SSD Doesn’t Include a Heatsink?

Sony recommends you install an SSD that has an attached heatsink. If the SSD you purchase doesn’t include one, it’s simple enough to buy one for $9 on Amazon and add it yourself. Most of these heatsinks are just attached using an adhesive like thermal tape.

Budget to Best: PS5 SSDs

There may be other SSD deals out there, but these are the PS5 SSDs we’ve tried ourselves and highly recommend. They also double up as outstanding boot drives for your gaming PC, in case you don’t need additional storage for your PS5 console.

How To Install a New PS5 SSD

It’s extremely easy! Removing the case cover is completely toolless. In fact, the only screw you have to remove is the one that keeps the cover for the SSD bay in place. You don’t even put it back when you’re done. Sony has a quick and easy YouTube video guide.

A recruiting drive at FromSoftware suggests a major expansion of the Elden Ring, Dark Souls, and Bloodborne developer is underway.

As reported by IGN Japan, FromSoftware is currently recruiting employees across several departments as it works on “several new projects”. The developer currently has no announced games in development beyond the Elden Ring expansion Shadow of the Erdtree, however, and FromSoftware didn’t share anything more in the job advertisements either.

Roles are available in game planning, research and development, programming, character design, background design, cinematic art, motion design, production, sound design, and more than a dozen other departments, certainly suggesting FromSoftware is looking to expand its development capabilities.

Fans have been calling for new entries in its most famous franchise for years now, of course, with sequels to Dark Souls 3 and Bloodborne perhaps the most sought after new games. FromSoftware last released a Dark Souls game, the franchise that properly put it on the map, in 2016, while Bloodborne is fast approaching its ten year anniversary after launching in March 2014.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice also set up a sequel, but these games releasing as solo entries proves FromSoftware isn’t afraid to create brand new franchises. Those who enjoy the tough as nails action role-playing games will therefore just have to wait and see what the developer announces next.

Shadow of the Erdtree currently lacks a release date, with FromSoftware only sharing a handful of concept art images for the expansion when it announced it in February. It more recently released Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon in August, which earned an 8/10 in IGN’s review.

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.

The best daily deals for Sunday, October 22 include a Callisto Protocol on PS5 for just $3.75, a TCL 65″ Smart TV for $399, $300 off a great Acer Predator gaming laptop, and a lot more.

Callisto Protocol PS5 for $3.75

The Callisto Protocol is a good game, but you don’t need to take my word for it, just check out our review from Tristan Ogilvie. While this game, which was originally set to be a tie-in with PUBG, it also draws a lot of inspiration from Dead Space, and right now you can get a Day One Edition physical copy of the PS5 version from GameStop for just $3.75. You’ll have to pay a few bucks for delivery if there isn’t one you can pick up from your local store, but it’s still far cheaper than you could get it otherwise.

TCL 65″ Q5 QLED Smart TV for $399

TCL is a solid brand for affordable quality, and while this 65″ QLED HDR Smart TV is normally $599, you can save $200 and get it for $399 at Best Buy. It has Google TV support, is direct lit, and 60Hz refresh rate and HDR 10+.

TCL 85″ QM8 QLED 4K Smart TV for $1871

Sports season is in full swing (sorry for the baseball pun, everyone, but GO ASTROS!) and big screen TVs are a great way to enjoy your favorite championship. This massive 85″ QLED 4K Smart TV has HDR Ultra, supports refresh rates up to 240Hz, and has Google TV, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, and a whole lot more, and you can save $900 on Amazon.

Acer Predator Helios 18″ Gaming Laptop for $2199

This Acer Predator Helios comes with an Intel 13th Gen i9, 32GB of RAM, and a GeForce RTX 4080 with a 1TB SSD, meaning you’ll have all the power you need to play all your favorite games. It normally goes for $2,499 but you can save $300 at Best Buy right now.

WD 12TB Elements Desktop External Drive for $181

If you need extra storage for your games, movies, or whatever else, this massive 12TB external USB 3.0 hard drive from WD could solve all your problems. I’ve been using one for ages to store my game capture, games, images, movies, and it’s been incredibly convenient, and you can save 41% on Amazon right now.

Samsung 65″ OLED 4K S90C Smart TV for $1,597

If you’ve been looking for a good TV, OLED is the way to go, and this Samsung 65″ Smart TV is a stellar pick. With Dolby Atmos support, Object Tracking Sound Lite, and Quantum HDR, your stuff will look, sound, and feel better and more detailed. And While it normally costs $2,597.99, you can get it right now for just $1,597.99.

Samsung 990 Pro SSD 4TB NVMe M.2 for $299

If you want fast storage retrieval but you don’t want to skimp on space, this 4TB NVMe is the way to go. With speeds up to 7450/6900 MB/s, it’ll get you where you need to go, and you can save $45 while doing it.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for $47.95

Tears of the Kingdom is absolutely one of the best video games to come out this year, and now you can knock off a whopping $22.04 off the regular asking price. Now is a great time to grab a copy for yourself, or for a loved one for the upcoming holiday season (or just a random Saturday).

LEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Box 10698 for $32

LEGOs rock. Everyone knows it. The only people who hate LEGO blocks are parents who like to walk around their houses in the wee hours of the morning in bare feet. If you wanna snag a Classic Large Creative Brick Box, which lets you build a ton of different types of things, this 790-piece kit is just what the doctor ordered.

SanDisk 256GB Ultra Fit USB 3.1 Flash Drive for $11.79

If you want a sizable travel drive to make moving files and things between computers securely, this SanDisk Ultra Fit is a low profile drive with a whopping 256GB drive, and you can bring it home for just $11.79.

LEGO Ideas Vincent Van Gogh The Starry Night 21333 $136

Amazon is offering the LEGO Ideas Vincent Van Gogh The Starry Night 21333 for only $136. That’s a 20% discount from its original $169.99 MSRP and the first time we’ve seen this particular build on sale. With a brick count of over 2,000 pieces and currently priced at only 5.8 cents per brick, it’s very well worth the price of admission. The LEGO Ideas The Starry Night is a 3D rendition of one of Vincent Van Gogh’s most icononic masterpieces. This is a collab with The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and it looks amazing. LEGO did a great job of recreating of Van Gogh’s expressive brush strokes, and the uncommon brick colors are a great addition to any LEGO collector’s stash. Amidst the 2D backdrop are really neat 3D elements like the rolling clouds, the stars in the sky, the undulating hills, the tree in the foreground, and more. A Vincent Van Gogh mini-figure is also included, complete with paintbrush, palette, and easel.

Magic: The Gathering 2022 Starter Kit (2 Ready-to-Play Decks) for $7.49

Save 50% off this 2022 MTG starter kit. This kit isn’t aimed at high-dollar collectors, but it is an inexpensive way to try out the MTG card game without spending a lot of money on booster packs. The contents include:

• 2 ready-to-play 60-card decks—1 white-blue deck and 1 red-green deck
• 1 Magic play guide booklet
• 2 deck boxes
• Codes for two people to unlock both decks to play online in MTG Arena
• 5 rare cards—including 1 rare foil card

Lenovo Legion Tower 5 Gen 8 RTX 4070 PC for $1250.49

To get this deal, you will need to use two stackable coupon codes: “CELEBRATE2023” and “EXTRA5“.

Lenovo has the Lenovo Legion Tower 5 Gen 8 RTX 4070 gaming PC for only $1250.49 after stackable coupon code “CELEBRATE2023” and “EXTRA5“. That’s the best price right now for a well-equipped RTX 4070 gaming PC. Not only do you get the powerful RTX 4070 GPU, you’re also getting a current AMD Ryzen 7 CPU and a spacious amount of RAM and SSD storage.

Need something more powerful? The RTX 4070 Ti model is $1658.99

To get this deal, you will need to use two stackable coupon codes: “CELEBRATE2023” and “EXTRA5“.

This config is housed in a Legion 7i tower, which is physically larger in size and accomodates three more system fans than the 5i for even better airflow: two more 120mm fans up top and one more 120mm fan up front for a total of 6 fans. The RTX 4070 Ti performs better significantly better than the RTX 4070 or 3080. This is a better card if you want to push very high refresh rates at 1440p or if you want something that can handle 4K comfortably without paying over $1K for an RTX 4080 or 4090.

65″ TCL QM8 4K Mini LED QLED TV for Only $901

or 75″ for $1308

If you’re in the market for an affordable, future proofed gaming TV, then take a look at the brand new 2023 TCL QM8 Mini-LED TV. This TV came out in May of 2023 and features all the technology you’d want in a current generation gaming TV including a gorgeous Mini-LED panel and 4K@120Hz support for PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles. As a side note, I have this TV and it’s currently connected to my PS5 console in my game room. This TV is easily one of the best displays I’ve owned. I still prefer my (considerably more expensive) LG Evo C2 OLED TV in the living room where I have full light control. However, my game room has very poor light control, with a lot of sunlight that filters in during the day. The TCL QM8 is much brighter than my OLED and, in my experience, this TV is better there.

Apple AirPods Pro with Lightning Connector for $189

Walmart is offering the 2nd gen Apple AirPods Pro truly wireless noise cancelling earbuds with Lightning connector for only $189. That’s a $60 price drop from its $249 MSRP and the best price we’ve ever seen. This isn’t the new USB Type-C variant that was released recently, but other than the connection type, these two AirPods Pro models are almost identical.

Expiring Sunday: a 1 Year Sams’ Club Membership for Only $15

From now until October 22, Sam’s Club is offering 70% off its 1-year general membership. The membership normally costs you $50, so right now you’d only be paying $15. The promotion is reserved for new memberships only. Sam’s Club is owned and operated by Walmart. Like Costco, this is a warehouse-style retail and online storefront that offers low prices on bulk products and boutique consumer goods.

PowerBlock Sport 50 Adjustable Dumbbells (Pair) for $199.99

Bowflex isn’t the only option when it comes to adjustable dumbbell sets. PowerBlock is another trusted brand that offers its own version, and right now it’s on sale. Woot has the PowerBlock Sport 50 adjustable dumbbell set for only $199.99. Amazon Prime members get free shipping (otherwise play $6 flat rate shipping). That’s currently less than half the price of an equivalent set of Bowflex SelectTech dumbbells. Each PowerBlock 50 dumbbell is adjustable from 10 pounds all the way to 50 pounds in 5 pound increments with just a turn of a dial. It’s definitely more efficient than constantly swapping plates.

2021 Apple iPad 10.2″ 64GB for $249

Amazon has the 2021 Apple iPad 10.2″ Wi-Fi 64GB tablet for only $249.99. This iPad normally retails for $329, so you’re saving about 25%. This is the lowest price we’ve seen for what is already the most affordable iPad you can get. Even though this is an older model iPad, it’s brand new and comes with a 1 year warranty.

Brian Barnett writes reviews, guides, features, & more for IGN & GameSpot. You can get your fix of his antics on YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, Bluesky, & Backloggd, & check out his fantastic video game talk show, The Platformers, on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Online shopping has become the preferred method for many looking to purchase new consoles as inventory is generally more available, and you don’t have to leave the comfort of your home. Some retailers even offer the option to purchase online and pick up your items in store, allowing you to secure your purchase and pick it up when you’re ready. If you’re looking for the best places to purchase Xbox consoles online, we’ve got you covered with a full breakdown below, including pricing on current Xbox consoles, the best time to buy an Xbox Series X or Series S, information on Xbox Game Pass, as well as where to trade in your exisiting Xbox consoles and games.

Where to Buy Xbox Consoles Online

If you’re looking to buy a new Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, or Xbox One, here’s where you can purchase them online in 2023. You can also check out the latest Xbox deals for potential discounts.

Xbox Series X

Microsoft’s flagship console, Xbox Series X, retails for an MSRP of $499.99 and features 1TB of storage and true 4K gaming.

Xbox Series S

Xbox Series S is the less-powerful, all-digital variant of Microsoft’s current console lineup that starts at an MSRP of $299.99. The base model features 512GB of storage and 1440p resolution gaming in a 60% smaller package.

Xbox One

Xbox One is Microsoft’s previous generation console that released in 2013. While it’s not currently being manufactured, you can still find refurbished models online at some retailers. There are three standard models available: the original Xbox One, a slimmer redesign called Xbox One S, and the more powerful Xbox One X. It’s worth noting that Xbox Series X|S are backwards compatible with Xbox One games, so your money may be better spent on the current generaton consoles.

Latest Xbox Deals

How Much Does a New Xbox Cost?

Xbox has a variety of different consoles at different price points to satisfy the needs of any gamer. The flagship console, Xbox Series X, retails for $499.99 but can also be financed via Xbox All Access at select retailers for $36.99/mo for 24 months which also includes 2 years of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. It’s worth noting that you’ll need to qualify for a line of credit with Citizen’s Pay Line if you opt for Xbox All Access.

Xbox Series S, the smaller, all-digital console, retails for $299.99 for the 512GB model or $349.99 for the 1TB model. Additionally, both can be financed via Xbox All Access starting at $26.99/mo for 24 months.

While Xbox One consoles aren’t currently in production any longer after being quietly discontinued in 2020 to focus on production of Xbox Series X|S, you can find them pre-owned or refurbished at resellers such as GameStop and Amazon, as well as through third-party marketplaces such as eBay, Craigslist, and more.

Additionally, you can often find bundles throughout the year that include either an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S, sometimes with a unique color or design, as well as an included game, trial of Xbox Game Pass, or in-game content.

Xbox Game Pass Pricing

Xbox Game Pass pricing was recently updated in September 2023 with the discontinuation of Xbox Live Gold, and now features a streamlined tier list depending on whether you play exclusively on Xbox consoles, PC, or both.

Xbox Game Pass Core

Xbox Game Pass Core is $9.99/month and includes online multiplayer for Xbox consoles, a catalog of 25 games to play, and exclusive member discounts and deals. This plan effectively replaced what was previously known as Xbox Live Gold.

Xbox Game Pass Console

Xbox Game Pass Console is $10.99/month and includes access to the entire Xbox Game Pass catalog for Xbox Consoles, including day one Xbox first-party titles. It also includes exclusive member discounts and deals. However, this plan does not include online multiplayer for Xbox, but is a great option if you prefer single player games and want enjoy the hundreds of games available on Xbox Game Pass.

Xbox Game Pass PC

Xbox Game Pass PC is $9.99/month and includes access to hundred of games to play on PC including day one Xbox first-party titles, an EA Play membership, and exclusive member discounts and deals. This is a great option if you only play on PC and want access to the Xbox Game Pass catalog of supported games.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is $16.99/month and combines both Xbox Game Pass Console and Xbox Game Pass PC to provide access to the entire Xbox Game Pass catalog of games on whichever platform you choose, as well as online gaming for Xbox. You’ll be able to play Xbox first-party titles day one, as well as stream hundreds of games over the cloud to compatible devices. Additionally, you’ll be able to play EA titles with an included EA Play membership, and access member-exclusive deals, discounts, and perks.

Best Time to Buy an Xbox

Generally, the best time to buy an Xbox console is during major yearly shopping events such as Black Friday and the various Amazon Prime Day sales. Often times, you can scoop up the console at a discount, or purchase limited-time bundles that include additional games, Xbox Game Pass trials, accessories, or in-game content.

How to Trade in Your Old Xbox

If you’re looking to trade in your old Xbox consoles, you can do so at select retailers in-store and online. Often, the most widely available retailers are GameStop and Best Buy. However, you can also trade your used devices online at retailers such as Amazon and Microsoft.

Some retailers will offer you cash for your used goods, while others may provide you with a gift card that can be used in-store and online. This is a great way to offload your old gaming gear and get some money that you can put towards a newer console and games.

While trading devices in at retailers will often net you the lowest amount for your used consoles, there are also online marketplaces such as eBay, Craigslist, and OfferUp that may fetch higher prices, but you’ll often be responsible for packing and shipping costs, or be required to meet someone in person for the transaction, the latter of which poses its own risks.

Where to Trade in Xbox Games

Similar to Xbox console trade ins, you can also trade your existing games in at specific retailers. The most widely available retailer accepting used video games is GameStop, but they are notorious for giving you pennies on the dollar for your pre-owned titles. However, if you’re looking for an easy way to offload some of your library for cash or in-store credit, this is a convenient option. You can always look up the expected trade-in value on GameStop’s website before heading into a store, so you know exactly how much you’ll receive. Additionally, you can trade in your used games online through Amazon in exchange for an Amazon gift card.

Matthew Adler is a Commerce, Features, Guides, News, Previews, and Reviews writer for IGN. You can follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @MatthewAdler and watch him stream on Twitch.